What Family Means by Geri Krotow

it always came back to one thing. The chasm between their backgrounds and families.
    Several couples passed. What did they look like to others? Simply students? Good friends? Or more?
    “Did you already eat?” Polite as ever. Thinking of her.
    “Yes, Amy and I eat earlier than most Parisians.”
    “And it’s cheaper to eat in.”
    “You got it.” Although she doubted Will had to worry about how much any meal cost, even over here. She noticed how he’d matured since she’d last seen him. His facial features were more chiseled, his body more powerful, more purposeful in its movements.
    “Do you eat in or usually go out?”
    He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I do whatever’s easiest. I basically live on baguettes with ham and cheese. Sometimes I treat myself to a hot meal in one of the cafés at lunch, but not too often.”
    “Have you tried the student mess?” She found it the most reasonable place to get a decent meal.
    “Yeah, but it’s not practical for me. I only have one class a week near there.”
    “Have you eaten, Will?”
    “Actually, no. Would you mind sitting with me while I dine?”
    “That sounds so formal.”
    He paused, and she stopped next to him. The wind whipped at their faces and her eyes smarted.
    “I don’t mean to sound formal. I just think it’s incredible that we’ve run into each other again, Deb, and I’m at a loss for what to say to you. My family was so unbelievably rude—”
    “Stop.” She placed her gloved hands on his arm. “That’s so far in the past, Will. I don’t want to talk about it. We’re in Paris, for heaven’s sake! People are more open-minded here.”
    His eyes reflected the glint of the streetlamps off the water.
    “Deb, you were my best friend growing up. I’m still angry at myself for allowing my mo—”
    She held up her hand. “No, I mean it, Will. If we’re going to be friends here, I don’t want to talk about it. Deal?”
    She lowered her hand and offered it to him.
    He grasped her fingers and even through her wool gloves she felt the charge of awareness course between them.
    “Deal.”
    He held on to her hand a beat longer than necessary. Debra tugged it free. She’d have to be very careful or she’d end up believing she and Will were more than childhood friends.
    “Where did you have in mind for dinner?”
    “I have a favorite place near Saint Chapelle. It’s small, loud and cheap. Oh, and the food’s great.” His teeth flashed in the evening light.
    “Lead the way.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Present Day
Buffalo, New York
Debra

    “Y OU SOUND AS THOUGH you aren’t surprised.” I had the phone tucked to my shoulder as I folded laundry. We’d already discussed Vi’s health and were on to the children. The day had dawned bright, and sunlight danced on the snow-covered ground.
    “They’re young and in love. We’ve been there, haven’t we, baby?” Will’s baritone tickled my ear even over the phone, thirty-five-hundred miles away.
    I sighed.
    “Yes, but our circumstances were quite different.”
    “Honey, I know you’re worried about Angie. But I have a feeling this will all work out. Yes, our circumstances were different. To many folks they still are.”
    “What about to you, Will?”
    “You know me, Deb. I don’t give a flying—”
    “I know you don’t care what others think.” I cut him off before he blistered my ear. “But I want you to tell me what you think. Has it been worth it?”
    “Worth it? You mean you’re not sure?”
    “I am as far as you and I are concerned. But the kids, Will, are they still paying the price?”
    “They had every comfort growing up, including the best education possible. It wasn’t easy for them being mixed, but life’s hard, sweetheart. And they had it a hell of a lot easier than we ever did.”
    I’d angered him. Will was so defensive about the decision we made to share our lives. To raise the kids with all the love and support we’d both missed in our own childhoods. Never mind